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Europe: a Florence city break

A suggested itinerary based in Florence. Allow 3 days.

A suggested route for your own trip, inspired by the Journal’s locations. It is not a record of Andy’s personal itinerary.

Allow3 daysBaseFlorenceRoute6 planned stages

Editorially reviewed 16 September 2026 · confirm live access before travelling.

Europe — photograph from Andy’s Journal

Your suggested route

The times below are suggested allowances, not live opening hours or transport schedules. Adjust the order for your arrival time, bookings and conditions.

  1. Day 1 · Morning · Florence’s historic centre

    Begin around the cathedral exterior and walk towards Piazza della Signoria, allowing two hours with breakfast or coffee. If you want a dome climb or cathedral-complex interior, reserve it separately and shorten the rest of the morning. The exterior route is worthwhile without every paid entrance.

  2. Day 1 · Afternoon · The Arno

    Have lunch, then walk towards Ponte Vecchio and a comfortable section of the Arno. Continue into the Oltrarno for a café and a few shops. Keep residential and working doorways clear; not every attractive courtyard is a public visitor space.

  3. Day 2 · Morning · Uffizi

    Reserve the Uffizi and give it at least three hours, choosing the artists or periods that interest you most. Arrive with time for entry procedures. Do not schedule another major gallery immediately afterwards; a collection of this scale deserves a proper pause.

  4. Day 2 · Afternoon · Oltrarno lunch and local streets

    Have a long lunch around the Oltrarno and explore a small area such as Santo Spirito. Browse workshops only where visitors are welcome. A quiet afternoon after the gallery provides a better balance than adding another museum simply because it is famous.

  5. Day 3 · Morning · Boboli or another collection

    Choose Boboli Gardens if open and weather suits, allowing two to three hours including slopes, or select a smaller indoor collection. Have lunch before the final afternoon. The Accademia can replace this morning if seeing David is a priority and tickets are available.

  6. Day 3 · Afternoon · Piazzale Michelangelo

    Reach Piazzale Michelangelo on foot if the climb suits, or by appropriate transport, and allow time for the city view. Return with a buffer for luggage and onward travel. If departing early, enjoy the Arno at ground level instead of forcing a final hill visit.

Where to pause for food

Choose a bakery breakfast, a seated Tuscan lunch and a neighbourhood dinner. Ribollita or another seasonal dish can be a starting point; a large steak is optional and often best shared after checking weight and price. Allow restaurant service time before a booked museum or train.

Getting around

Walk the central districts and use buses or taxis for a hill transfer when helpful. Avoid driving into restricted historic-centre streets. The main station is convenient, but luggage collection and platform access still need time after sightseeing.

For a shorter day or different weather

In rain, replace Boboli with an indoor collection. With one day, choose the historic centre, Arno and one major interior. Tuscany day trips require another day; Pisa or Siena should not be squeezed between Florence museum reservations.

Before you go

Use official museum ticket channels and check current closures or works. This guide interprets the broad Europe-tagged riverfront image as inspiration for a Florence break, not a route across the continent or a record of Andy’s exact activities.

Visitor information and further planning

Use these destination, attraction and operator resources to check current access and arrangements before booking.

Places from the Journal

Explore the original Instagram posts from this destination.

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